Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced strong support for imposing tariffs on countries that continue to maintain economic relations with Russia, describing it as the "right idea" in the face of Moscow’s ongoing military aggression.

In an interview with ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, Zelenskyy argued that punitive economic measures remain an essential tool against Russia and its partners, particularly as Moscow sustains its campaign of missile and aerial strikes against Ukraine.

His remarks came in response to a question on whether sanctions and tariffs directed at third countries appeared counterproductive, given that nations such as India and China have continued to engage with Russia despite Western restrictions.

Zelenskyy backed the continuation and expansion of such economic pressures, emphasizing that countries benefitting from trade with Moscow should also face consequences.

The Ukrainian President’s comments were particularly significant in the context of the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping projected a visible display of strategic camaraderie.

Their meeting drew attention in the West, especially as the United States has introduced tariffs against nations that continue oil and energy purchases from Russia. Zelenskyy’s endorsement of such measures reflects Kyiv’s consistent calls for stronger international actions designed both to isolate Moscow diplomatically and undermine its economic resilience, especially in energy trade.

In the same interview, Zelenskyy also addressed the prospect of direct dialogue with Moscow, firmly dismissing Putin’s recent invitation for talks in Russia. He stressed that it was impossible for him to travel to the Russian capital while his country is under continuous bombardment.

Instead, Zelenskyy suggested that if Putin were serious about negotiations, he could travel to Kyiv or propose a meeting in a neutral, acceptable location.

Zelenskyy accused Putin of using the offer of talks as a delaying tactic, not a genuine attempt at peace, claiming that the Russian leader was playing political games with the United States in order to buy time and shift narratives.

From Moscow’s perspective, however, Putin continued to signal willingness to meet Zelenskyy under the right circumstances. Following his four‑day visit to China, Putin told reporters that he had "never ruled out" the possibility of a bilateral meeting, provided it complied with the Ukrainian constitution and was prepared in a way that ensured a constructive outcome.

He even revealed that former U.S. President Donald Trump had inquired about the possibility of such a meeting, to which Putin reportedly responded affirmatively, reiterating his invitation for Zelenskyy to visit Moscow.

This contrasting posturing highlighted the widening diplomatic gulf, with Kyiv underscoring Russia’s continued strikes as incompatible with any meaningful dialogue, and Moscow hinting at talks while maintaining its military campaign.

Zelenskyy also used the occasion to call for further sanctions against Russia after what Ukrainian authorities described as the largest aerial assault since the beginning of the full‑scale invasion.

The massive strike, conducted late Saturday, caused widespread damage and heightened demands from Kyiv for not only stronger defensive support but also more aggressive economic countermeasures against Russia.

Over the weekend, Zelenskyy took to social media platform X to urge global leaders to match their political statements with tangible measures, calling for expanded sanctions regimes and tariffs targeting Russia and individuals tied to its war economy. According to him, cutting Russia’s revenues from trade remains central to weakening its ability to finance its military campaign.

The Ukrainian leader’s advocacy of tariffs and sanctions reflects Kyiv’s strategic reliance on Western and allied economic pressure as a complement to military aid.

While the West has already introduced sweeping restrictions on Russian energy, financial, and technology sectors, Zelenskyy’s framing shifts attention toward secondary actors, including emerging economies that have expanded trade with Moscow despite sanctions.

This position underscores Ukraine’s diplomatic push to ensure that Russia’s economic base is increasingly constrained, not just by Western isolation, but by the collective enforcement of penalties on all nations that indirectly sustain Moscow’s war effort.

Consequently, Zelenskyy’s statements were not merely a response to Putin’s overtures but a broader appeal for stricter global discipline in curbing Russia’s wartime resilience through punitive trade mechanisms.

Based On ANI Report